Muslims across the globe are preparing for the holy month of Ramadan.

In the Iraqi capital Baghdad people are going about their business under the threat of violence following a recent spate of bomb attacks in the city. “Demands for foodstuffs was good, but there are less people around now because of the bombings,” said one shopkeeper. Meanwhile, at the Rafa border crossing, linking Egypt with Gaza, Palestinians are hard at working bringing in contraband supplies to the strip squeezed hard by the Israeli blockage. “I was obliged to work in this field because of the unemployment situation that we have in Gaza, and the lack of food, and now its Ramadan the borders are closed, so we had to bring more products from here.” explained a Gazan smuggler. In a goodwill gesture for Ramadan Hamas, which rules in Gaza after ousting Fatah with violence, says it will release 55 supporters of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.More about: Islam, Religion

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